MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held at 7:30 p.m. in the Sharon Town Offices with Chair William A. Heitin, Selectman Walter Joe Roach, Selectman Richard A. Powell and Town Administrator Benjamin E. Puritz.
Prior to the commencement of the meeting Lauren Hyman, Candidate for the Horizons for Youth Use Committee had an informal conversation with the Board regarding her participation as a member of this committee.
The meeting was called to order at 7:35 p.m.
Chairman Heitin announced that the Rotary Club will be honoring Barry and Pat Zlotin with the Service Above Self Award at Saphire Manor on March 5, 2007 at 6:30pm.
Interview Marc Bluestein Candidate for Horizons for Youth Property Reuse Committee
Mr. Bluestein stated that he has lived in Sharon for 53 years and is a member of the adjoining neighborhood. He has been a member of numerous committees including serving as a member of the Finance Committee for seven years.
He believes that the Horizons for Youth land is an integral part of Sharon that offers a myriad of possibilities. He was open to ideas regarding use of the land, excluding the area abutting the lake because he believes that the integrity of the land must be maintained. He believes the land along the lake could be turned into a place where people can sit or walk along a trail. He also supports continued use of the lake as camps. He also would like to approach organizations that have the resources to upgrade the facilities in exchange for use the land. He believes another alternative is to utilize rental fees to upgrade the facilities.
One Book One Town
Marnie Bolstad, member of the Sharon Public Library Board of Trustees, Barbara Nadler, Director of the Sharon Public Library, Lauren Roberts, and Sarah Graf all came before the board to discuss the Public Library’s initiative titled “One Book One Town”. Marnie Bolstad and Barbara Nadler are co-chairs of the program and Laura Roberts and Sarah Graf are Chairs of the Publicity Committee.
The goal of the program s to bring the town together through literature by reading one book. The program is new to Sharon but has been held in many towns across the country. The committee has selected the book “Peace Like a River”. The program will last five weeks from Mid-April through the end of May.
Interview Gina Maniscalco Council On Aging Board Member (Alternate)
Ms. Maniscalco is a former member of the Planning Board and in that capacity took an interest in affordable housing from the standpoint of parents and their children who are having a difficult time because of high property taxes. She is involved in a committee of the Council on Aging Board that has been formed to look at Sharon’s zoning by-laws as it relates to in-law units. Her interest in this initiative in particular led her to apply to be an alternative on the Council on Aging Board.
Approve Minutes
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve the Regular Session Minutes of January 30, 2007 (as corrected) and February 13, 2007 and the Executive Session Minutes of February 13, 2007.
Consider appointments to Sharon Housing Affordable Trust
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint the following as members of the Sharon Housing Affordable Trust: Tim Caplice, Andrew Goldberg, David Kurzman and Melissa Mills.
Consider appointments to Sharon Historical Commission as Alternate Members
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint the following:
Reese Schoeder as an Alternate to the Sharon Historical Commission - Term Ending 2009
Susan Jo Rich as an Alternate to the Sharon Historical Commission - Term Ending 2008
Town Administrator’s Employment Agreement extension
The Board of Selectmen stated that the Town Administrator’s new contract eliminates the provision which provides for a twenty-seven month notice of non-extension. The contract is a four year extension through June 30, 2012 which would provide new Boards an opportunity to review the terms of the agreement in the future. There is also a reduction of gas for personal use from 1200 gallons to 800 gallons. The compensation piece of the contract will be handled when decisions regarding the compensation for all department heads are made. It was noted that the contract extension is a result of two and one-half months of negotiation. The Board commented that Mr. Puritz has served as Sharon’s Town Administrator for over 26 years and has a reputation as the “Administrator’s Administrator”.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to amend the Town Administrator’s employment agreement effective February 27, 2007 as written.
Consider approval of Administrative Secretary Reserve Fund Transfer Request
The additional funds of $20,471.00 are necessary due to the retirement of former Administrative Secretary Kathy Byrne. Her retirement wasn’t accounted for in the FY 2007 budget as her retirement wasn’t anticipated during the FY 2007 budget year. In addition, she is entitled to an accrued leave benefit. Kathy is on the payroll until early February though she left on January 11, 2007. The additional funds will pay for the salary of Kathy’s replacement beginning on February 6, 2007 as well as for the additional time Linda Morse worked in January. Linda normally works a part time schedule. Ben Puritz is scheduled to meet with the Finance Committee, and with the Board’s approval will transmit the memorandum for the Reserve Fund Transfer for approval by the Finance Committee. This request meets the criteria of the Reserve Fund Transfer Request as it is an “unforeseen” expense.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to approve and forward to the Finance Committee the request for a transfer from the reserve fund for the amount of $20,471.00.
Consider appointment of Ben Puritz as American Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator
for the Town of Sharon
Former Recreation Director David Clifton, who retired recently, served as the Town’s
American Disability Act (ADA) Coordinator. It was explained that the position must be held by a town employee. It was decided that in the interim Town Administrator Ben Puritz would serve as Sharon’s ADA Coordinator.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to appoint Town Administrator Ben Puritz as Sharon’s ADA Coordinator.
Approval of Sharon High School Senior Class to set up a toll booth to assist in funding After Prom and Graduation Parties.
The Selectmen discussed the request to set up a toll booth to help defray the cost of the Sharon High School After Prom Party and the Sharon High School After Graduation Party. The date scheduled is Saturday April 7th with a rain date of April 28th. It was asked that the information be forwarded to the Police Chief Joe Bernstein
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to allow the set-up of a toll booth for the purpose of fundraising for the Sharon High School After Prom Party and the Sharon High School After Graduation Party.
SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA
APPROVAL OF REVISED TOWN MEETING SCHEDULE
The Board reviewed the new schedule and is planning on signing the warrant on Tuesday, March 13, 2007. In addition because of time constraints the bid for the printing of the warrant has been sent out again.
REVIEW OF PUBLIC AUCTION BID RESULTS
There were 15 vehicles sold at the public auction. Results have been posted at Town Hall for anyone who is interested in reviewing them.
MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
1 – Bill Heitin shared with Selectmen Roach and Powell that a group has come forward to ask if they can use a pre-recorded message with his voice to contact Sharon residents about the March 12, 2007 Town Meeting. He stated that he was looking to guidance from them regarding his participation. There would be no cost to the community. Selectmen Roach and Selectmen Powell stated that they had no objection to this being done but asked if they could see the message prior to its recording.. Selectmen Heitin agreed to share this with the Board. In addition, they asked that the Town Clerk be contacted regarding this matter,
Selectmen Roach stated that he would like to add an additional meeting to the Selectmen schedule as he believes there are items that need to be addressed. Chairman Heitin will speak with the Town Administrator regarding this matter.
VOTED: (Roach/Powell) Voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session to discuss real property acquisition, matters of pending litigation, collective bargaining, personnel grievance update, and at the conclusion thereof to adjourn for the evening. The Board of Selectmen adjourned to Executive Session at 8:20pm.